No One Is Standing With Hardik Pandya: Former India Stars Slam Mumbai Indians for Commercial Captaincy Decision as MI Struggles Continue in IPL 2026
Manjrekar Calls MI’s Captaincy Decision ‘Commercial’ as Pandya Faces Growing Scrutiny
The pressure on Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya has reached a breaking point in IPL 2026, with former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar delivering a stinging critique of the franchise’s decision to hand Pandya the captaincy. In a podcast appearance that has gone viral, Manjrekar suggested that MI’s appointment of Pandya was driven by commercial considerations rather than sound cricketing logic, adding that “no one is standing with Hardik Pandya” in the MI dressing room.
The remarks come amid another disappointing season for the five-time IPL champions, who recently suffered a comprehensive eight-wicket defeat to Chennai Super Kings at Chepauk. That loss saw Pandya manage just 9 runs before being dismissed by Anshul Kamboj, and MI’s bowling attack was taken apart by CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad. With each passing defeat, questions about Pandya’s leadership and the franchise’s strategic direction grow louder.
The Case Against Pandya’s Appointment
Manjrekar’s comments on the Sportstar Insight Edge podcast were unusually direct for a commentator known for measured analysis. “Hardik Pandya to the Mumbai Indians was a very interesting decision. I think sometimes franchises make decisions that are newsworthy and put them in the spotlight, because ultimately it’s a commercial brand. You can see the kind of valuations franchises are getting. So it may not even be a sound cricketing call,” he said.
The former India batter went further, attributing Pandya’s success at Gujarat Titans — where he led the franchise to the IPL title in their debut season (2022) and a runners-up finish the following year — to the coaching acumen of Ashish Nehra rather than Pandya’s own captaincy. “Hardik Pandya had success with the Gujarat Titans, and that had a lot to do with somebody named Ashish Nehra. So maybe if you wanted Hardik Pandya, you could have also got Ashish Nehra with him,” Manjrekar added.
The most damning part of Manjrekar’s analysis focused on the isolation Pandya experienced within the MI dressing room from day one. “It’s tough for Hardik because when he came to MI, he surpassed some of the big names. Bumrah wasn’t given the nod, nor was Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav. So, he felt the pressure and the first season when he captained, he did not have support of the senior players,” he revealed.
A Captain Under Siege Since Day One
Pandya’s journey as MI captain has been fraught with controversy from the moment he was appointed ahead of the 2024 season. The decision to replace Rohit Sharma — a five-time IPL-winning captain and one of the most decorated players in MI history — was met with widespread disbelief from fans and pundits alike. The backlash was immediate and visceral: Pandya was booed by MI’s own supporters at the Wankhede Stadium during his first season as captain.
“Just imagine, a captain going out for the toss and getting booed by the local MI supporters. It’s a tough place to be in,” Manjrekar said, highlighting the unprecedented hostility that Pandya faced from the fans he was supposed to inspire. The booing continued intermittently throughout 2024 and into 2025, creating an atmosphere that several former players described as toxic.
On the field, the numbers tell a grim story. Under Pandya’s captaincy, MI have failed to qualify for the playoffs in multiple seasons, a sharp decline for a franchise that had been among the IPL’s most successful. The team’s devastating defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad earlier this season, where MI conceded a 244-run chase, epitomised the defensive frailties that have plagued the team under Pandya’s leadership.
Lack of Senior Support
The issue of senior player support is perhaps the most concerning aspect of MI’s dysfunction. In successful IPL franchises, the captain relies on experienced players to provide tactical input, mentor younger teammates, and take responsibility in pressure situations. At MI, however, multiple reports suggest that the senior core has been lukewarm in their support for Pandya, creating a leadership vacuum that the captain has been unable to fill alone.
The situation contrasts sharply with other franchises where captaincy changes have been managed smoothly. Delhi Capitals, for instance, have thrived under KL Rahul’s captaincy partly because of the seamless integration of senior and young players. At MI, the transition from Rohit Sharma to Pandya has been anything but smooth, and the franchise’s inability to address the underlying tensions has become a season-defining issue.
Can Pandya Turn It Around
Despite the criticism, Pandya’s supporters point to his track record of resilience. The all-rounder has overcome career-threatening back injuries, public scrutiny of his personal life, and the immense pressure of being an India regular across formats. His IPL trophy with Gujarat Titans demonstrated genuine tactical acumen, including innovative field placements and bold bowling changes that defied conventional wisdom.
However, the structural problems at MI may be beyond any single captain’s ability to fix. The team’s bowling attack has lacked depth, the batting lineup has been inconsistent, and the franchise’s recruitment strategy at auctions has been questioned. Even established captains like Rishabh Pant have admitted to the immense pressure of leading underperforming teams in the IPL, and Pandya’s challenges are compounded by the off-field noise.
As MI’s playoff hopes dim with each passing match, the debate over Pandya’s future as captain will only intensify. Whether the franchise persists with him or makes another change — potentially returning to Rohit Sharma or elevating a younger leader like Suryakumar Yadav — could define Mumbai Indians’ direction for the next cycle. For now, Pandya finds himself in the loneliest position in Indian sport: a captain without the full backing of his team, his fans, or it seems, even his franchise.
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